I just downloaded the trial for the second time. The first thing I noticed was the community. The chat is very active, and I have yet to meet a rude player. Everyone is helpful. It feels like a perfect mix between WoW(solo ability) and EQ. Thankfully, the game seems to lean a lot more towards EQ.

I played a Cleric up to level 3 and then switched to a bard. I like the bard and I love the way songs are handled in this game. However, I'm unsure as to what class I want to play. I always like being the healer, and I just came back from another stint in EQ as a cleric. I've been trying to scratch the EQ itch for a while, and I can't enjoy the game anymore. Are the Clerics the gods of healing they were in EQ? Also, how is their solo ability? I don't expect to be blazing through mobs, but I would love the ability to solo while waiting for a group. So, is the cleric the class for me if I want to be able to heal extremely well and find groups quickly?

The next thing I tried out was crafting. It seems really good, despite one bug with an npc. How extensive is the crafting system? I saw a video on player boats, are those still in the game? Are they player crafted? I'm just looking for a brief description on the player house, boats and crafting.

Thanks in advance guys, the games been really fun and Im sure I'll be subscribing.

To be honest the cleric in that game is extremely good at surviving, not only can they buff extremely well and heal well but they also wear heavy armour and have attacks that regain helth for you and your group. I havent played in over a year but i got a cleric to level 40 and whilst they kill slow i could kill the hardest of mobs solo no problem whereas it would take at least a duo/trio to kill these mobs

I remember in EQ, you're number one choice for a healer was a cleric.  This is not the case in VG.  I'm a tank and I will take any of the four healers (Disciple, Shaman, Cleric, Blood Mage).  They're all very different and all solid healers.  VG manages to mix healing with dps.  So expect to be involves in killing too.

Boats are still in the game, they just added Galleons (APW raid to get recipe).

Crafting on IoD is a lot of fun, content after IOD is mainly grind, not as fun but still probably one of the best Crafting system out there.

Crafting pays for itself, its not like other games where you need to earn cash to pay for crafting. Work orders give you monetary reward which you can use to buy more stuff for crafting and better clothes etc.

Houses are also player made on plots dotted around the world.

Clerics are the best healers by far because they have spells to make them immune to damage, wear heavy armour and can heal better than any other class.

There are at least 4 different cleric paths you can follow, that choice makes a huge difference on your cleric's soloability/survivability.  I believe War cleric is the most soloable.

Welcome to the game! Hope you'll subscribe.